Islam's Response to Contemporary Issues — Page 32
32 islam’s response to contemporary issues There should be no compulsion in religion. Surely, right has become distinct from wrong; 30 So there is no need for any coercion. Leave it to man to determine where the truth belongs. Addressing the Holy Founder sa of Islam, God clearly warns him of entertaining any idea of force in an attempt to reform society. His status as reformer is made very clear in the following verse: Admonish, therefore, for thou art but an admonisher; thou hast no authority to compel them. 31 Further developing the same theme, Prophet Muhammad sa , is reminded: But if they turn away, We have not sent thee as a guardian over them. Thy duty is only to convey the Message. Leave it to God to make the Message effective. 32 Even if a struggle develops in the process of the propagation of the new ideology and violent reaction ensues, then Islam strongly exhorts its adherents to show patience and perseverance and avoid conflict as much as possible. This is why wherever a Muslim is admonished to deliver the Message of Islam to the world at large; a clear-cut code of conduct is laid out for him. Out of many verses related to this subject, we quote the following few verses to illustrate the point: